A senior living waitlist may sound like a reason to put off your plans. In reality, joining a waitlist can be an important part of planning ahead, giving you more time and flexibility to consider where and how you want to live before a move becomes a necessity.
At Cedar Community, planning ahead can also give you more opportunity to identify the independent living home or apartment that best fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Why It Might Be Time to Explore Senior Living
Many of us hope to stay in our current homes for as long as possible, often thinking we’ll remain there “until the good Lord decides to bring us home.” But as time passes, homeownership can become more of a burden than a refuge. Routine upkeep and unexpected repairs can become financially draining, not to mention the stress of managing it all.
Making a move to senior living is typically not on someone’s bucket list, but today’s senior living communities are designed as places to live fully, with opportunities to enjoy, explore, and embrace your best life.
You may find yourself thinking about senior living if:
- Your social circle has gotten smaller.
- Days go by without face-to-face social interaction.
- Your calendar is filled more with doctor’s appointments than social engagements, with more things you have to do than things you want to do.
- Television has become your primary form of entertainment.
- Your neighborhood has changed and your neighbors have become strangers.
- You don’t feel like leaving the house as often, particularly during bad weather.
If you can relate, it may be worth exploring what life in a senior living community could look like. Residents decide how active they want to be. Old hobbies can resurface, opportunities to learn something new are abundant, new friendships can form, and everyday life can open up in unexpected ways.
A community with a continuum of care can also provide access to additional support as needs change over time. Beyond the square footage of a home or apartment is an entire community filled with enriching experiences, opportunities, services, and meaningful connections.
Senior living is not one size fits all. While a community can tell you what it offers, only you can decide which environment best fits your lifestyle, values, preferences, and plans for the future.
Why Do Senior Living Communities Have Waitlists?
As you begin exploring senior living communities, you may discover that some have a waitlist.
A waitlist generally allows prospective residents to express interest before the home or apartment they want becomes available. Availability can change gradually as residents move, transition to different living options, or as new residences become available.
For someone planning ahead, being on a waitlist can provide time to consider preferences and prepare for a future move rather than making a major decision during a health crisis or other unexpected change.
How Does a Senior Living Waitlist Work?
Every senior living community handles its waitlist differently, but the process may include:
Application and deposit: Some communities require an application and a refundable or partially refundable deposit before adding someone to a waitlist.
Priority order: Your position may be determined by the date you joined the waitlist, the type of residence you want, or the community’s individual policies.
Housing preferences: You may be able to identify preferred apartment styles, home types, locations, views, floor levels, or other criteria.
Timing: A community may be able to provide general guidance about availability, but exact timing can depend on resident moves, care transitions, construction, and the particular residence you want.
Ongoing communication: Staying in contact allows you and the community to update preferences, timing, and plans as circumstances change.
Benefits of Joining a Senior Living Waitlist Early
Planning ahead and joining a waitlist can offer several advantages.
More Choice
Joining earlier may give you better access to the apartment styles, home types, locations, layouts, or views you prefer.
More Time to Plan
Instead of making decisions under pressure, you have time to prepare financially, sort through belongings, talk with family members, and think carefully about what you want from your next home.
A Smoother Transition
Planning before there is an urgent health or caregiving need can make the eventual move more intentional and manageable.
A Connection Before You Move
Depending on the community, prospective residents may have opportunities to attend events, visit the campus, or become more familiar with the community before moving in.
What Being on a Waitlist Does Not Mean
Joining a waitlist does not necessarily mean you need to move immediately when an opportunity becomes available.
It also does not automatically mean you will wait for years. Availability can change, and timing may vary significantly depending on the type of home or apartment you want and the preferences you establish.
The most important thing is understanding the specific policies of the community you are considering.
Questions to Ask Before Joining a Senior Living Waitlist
Before joining a community’s waitlist, consider asking:
- What happens to my place on the waitlist if I’m not ready when you call?
- Can I be considered for more than one type of home or apartment?
- Does joining an independent living waitlist provide any priority if I need a higher level of care before moving in?
- Is a deposit required?
- Is the deposit refundable?
- Can I change my housing preferences over time?
- How is my position on the waitlist determined?
- How often will I receive updates?
- How long will I have to make a decision when a residence becomes available?
- Can I participate in community events or programming while I wait?
How the Independent Living Waitlist Works at Cedar Community
At Cedar Community, you can select an available independent living home or apartment or join the independent living waitlist to plan for a future move.
At the time you select a specific residence or decide to join the Cedar Community independent living waitlist, you will receive:
- Down Payment Agreement
- Application for Residency
- Residency and Services Agreement
A down payment of $5,000 is required to select a home or apartment or to secure a position on the waitlist.
The Down Payment Agreement and Application for Residency should be completed and returned with your down payment to the sales office. After your application has been reviewed and accepted in writing, your name will be placed on the waitlist if that is your preference. If you have selected an available residence, a move-in meeting will be scheduled.
Cedar Community Independent Living Waitlist FAQs
What happens to my down payment when I move in?
Your down payment will convert into a refundable security deposit for the apartment or home you have selected.
Is the down payment refundable if I change my mind?
If you request to be removed from the waitlist, Cedar Community will refund $2,500 of your down payment.
If an apartment or home requires renovation, can I select or upgrade some of the items during renovation?
If your home or apartment requires renovations, you may be provided with a list of standard selections for cabinets, flooring, appliances, and other items.
Should you wish to select upgrades, you will be charged 75 percent of the cost of the upgrades before the renovation begins, and the balance is due at the time you move into your home or apartment.
What if I am on the waitlist and decline an apartment or home when one is offered to me?
Individuals on Cedar Community’s waitlist keep their position, determined by the date they entered into a Down Payment Agreement, until they either accept an apartment or home or request to be removed from the waitlist.
Can I request that I only be called for specific homes, apartments, or types of residences?
Yes. You can establish specific selection criteria for a home or apartment.
For example, you can specify only a third-floor apartment, only a particular home or homes, or establish a contact-date restriction on your file at any time.
If you would like to change your specifications, you can contact the sales office. Selection criteria do not affect your place on the waitlist. However, the more restrictions you have, the longer it may take for a home or apartment to become available that fits your preferences.
If I am on the waitlist and I am called about an apartment or home, how long do I have to decide?
If you are offered an apartment or home, you have 10 days to accept the residence before it is offered to the next person on the waitlist.
Do monthly fees and other service fees ever increase?
Yes. Like every organization, Cedar Community experiences changes in labor and utility costs and other unforeseen expenses.
Fees are evaluated annually to appropriately balance resident needs with market trends and the organization’s financial sustainability. The Residency and Services Agreement stipulates that Cedar Community has the ability to raise rates at any time with 30 days’ written notice.
The sales team is happy to provide information about past years’ increases for reference to help with financial planning.
Can I have a pet at Cedar Community?
Yes. Four-legged friends are welcome in independent living at Cedar Community. Cats and dogs are allowed, with weight restrictions varying by location. A non-refundable $1,000 pet fee is required for each pet.
Start Your Next Chapter Today
Senior living isn’t one size fits all, and Cedar Community understands that. Our goal is to help you make a decision that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and long-term needs.
If you haven’t already visited, we invite you to schedule a personal tour to learn more about Cedar Community and the many services and amenities available.
Take a moment to reflect on how you want your retirement years to look, and take the next step toward planning for your future.
